Throwing a baby shower is a great way to show love and support for a wonderful woman who's expecting. Showers are a time when friends and family can gather for fun and laughter, to play games, to share delicious food, and to give gifts that will help prepare the soon-to-be mom and dad for when their little one arrives. But planning a baby shower to celebrate the upcoming arrival of a rainbow baby is an extra special affair.
A rainbow baby is a term that's used for a baby conceived after the loss of a pregnancy or a child. Just like how a real rainbow is something beautiful and hopeful that comes after a storm, a rainbow baby is a symbol of hope, love, joy, and beauty that comes after a painful loss. And just as in nature, the rainbow doesn't eclipse or erase the fact of the storm, just as a rainbow baby will never take the place of the child or children that was or were lost. Instead, it's a powerful and beautiful reminder of everything that came before.
Rainbow babies are truly special little miracles, which is why planning a baby shower for a rainbow baby can feel like an enormous responsibility. But holding the hostess baton for a rainbow baby shower is no reason to panic! We've rounded up 40 fantastic DIY crafts, delicious rainbow recipes, jaw-dropping rainbow decor, and more to help pull off a super-perfect rainbow baby shower for a well-deserving mom-to-be.
Rainbow Baby Shower Invitation
This colorful rainbow baby shower invitation lets guests know just how special this baby shower will be and why.
Rainbow Baby Shower Invitation ($8, Rainbow Baby Prints/Etsy)
Skittles and Marshmallow Rainbow Cake
Skittles and marshmallows are and easy (and delicious) way to turn a plain cake into a beautiful 3D rainbow.
Rainbow Maternity Sash
Wearing a pretty floral rainbow maternity sash is a beautiful way to honor a pervious loss and show the hope for the future.
Rainbow maternity Sash ($27, Tattered Petal/Etsy)
Rain Drops Guest Book
Each guest can sign a rain drop on this guest book that's specifically designed for parents of rainbow babies.
Rain drops guest book ($14,Sugar Pickles Designs/Etsy)
Doorway Rainbow
Twist colored streamers and add a cluster of white balloons to create a whimsical rainbow effect over a doorway.
Rainbow Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Rainbow hued pretzel rods are sure to dazzle your guests, but they're actually pretty simple and fun to make.
Rainbow Gift Chair
The gift chair is where the guest of honor spends a lot of her time at a baby shower, so if photos are important, making it looking great is a must. This easy tutorial explains how to turn a simple chair into a throne surrounded by rainbows.
Rainbow Veggie Platter
Arrange raw veggies in an arch by color for a healthy snack that's completely on theme.
Easy Rainbow Photo Booth Backdrop
Getting a great rainbow photo book backdrop for a rainbow baby shower is as simple as hanging a few plastic tablecloths.
Rainbow Baby Shirt
For the mom-to-be who's not feeling herself in dresses, she can show off her growing bump and acknowledge her previous loss by wearing this soft and cute rainbow baby shirt to her baby shower.
Rainbow baby shirt ($15, Free Will Shirts/Etsy)
Rainbow Cupcake Tower
Anyone who can frost a cupcake can recreate this gorgeous tower of rainbow cupcakes.
Sprinkle Votives
Votive candles nestled in rainbow sprinkles can add a colorful touch to centerpieces and tables.
Raindrops Party Favor
Simple chocolate kisses tied with rainbow ribbon can become sweet "rain drop" treats to thank guests for coming.
Rainbow Balloon Centerpiece
We know this rainbow balloon centerpiece looks super impressive and super professional. But it's actually a DIY project that calls for a little help from some chicken wire.
Notes for the Rainbow Baby
Having guests jot down a note of encouragement for the momma-to-be or new baby is common at a shower. Since a rainbow baby shower is a time of remembrance as much as celebration, consider asking guests to pen a note to the child or children the parents have lost, so they'll be reminded as they welcome this new baby that all of their children are loved.
Rainbow Notecards ($17, Yuya Stationary/Etsy)
Rainbow Bubble Bar Party Favor
Give guests a homemade rainbow bubble bar for a favor that's so luxurious and pretty they'll be torn between wanting to put it on display and wanting to run home to hop in the bath.
Rainbow Pom Pom Table Decor
Layers of craft tissue paper stack to create these festive DIY rainbow centerpieces that will add color to gift or snack tables.
Rainbow Deviled Eggs
Sure, traditional deviled eggs will disappear from the platter. But a rainbow baby shower with homemade rainbow deviled eggs is something people are sure to talk about for years to come.
Rainbow Rain Cloud Decorations
These DIY rainbow rain clouds are anything but dreary. Use them to hang over the gift table as a focal point or suspend them all around the shower space.
Balloon Baby Shower Game
Take a break from traditional baby shower games and let guests try their hand at this rainbow colored game of chance. All it takes to create is balloons, a board, some small prizes, and elbow grease.
Rainbow Maternity Dress
Such a special day deserves a very special outfit. This gorgeous rainbow maternity dress shows off momma's strength after loss, and can double as a beautiful maternity photo shoot look.
Rainbow maternity dress ($472 and up, Sew Trendy Accessories/Etsy)
Rainbow Punch
What's a shower to welcome a sweet baby without some sugar? This rainbow punch recipe looks great and does the trick.
'Rainbow Seeds' Dessert
Fruit candies become an easy and fun rainbow shower favor with the help of this free printable.
Rainbow Balloon Arch
This DIY mini rainbow balloon arch is a festive way to let guests know where the food is. Plus it's easy to clean up at the end of the shower!
DIY Onesie Station
Provide guests with white onesies in a variety of sizes, painters tape, and fabric markers (less messy than tape!) so they can create their very own rainbow-hued creation for the baby.
Rainbow Baby Bingo
In this clever two-part game, guest fill in their own bingo card by guessing what gifts they think mom-to-be will receive. Then they mark off their Bingo card as gifts are open. It's a great way to make gift-opening even more exciting!
Rainbow baby Bingo ($4, Lil Rainbow Babies/Etsy)
Floral Crown
Until the inevitable hat made from gift ribbons and bows is made, this rainbow colored floral crown can serve as a beautiful reminder of the strength and grace that comes when with expecting a rainbow baby.
Floral crown ($28, Nomad Glitter/Etsy)
Rainbow Baby Note
With all those pregnancy hormones going wild, mom-to-be might not be too wild about the idea of making a speech in front of all her guests about the special meaning behind this baby shower. If that's the case, consider a simple notecard at place settings explaining the meaning of a rainbow baby and thanking guests for their support of the family.
Rainbow Layer Cake
For hostesses who fancy themselves Food Network stars, try tackling this amazing six layer rainbow cake recipe to serve at the shower.
Cupcake Rainbow
If the idea of six separate cake layers is just too much to handle, frost cupcakes in different colors and arrange them in a classic rainbow arch. Just make sure to snap a pic before someone snags one!
Rainbow Maternity Ribbon
This colorful ribbon sets the woman of honor apart from other expectant guests. The rainbow ribbons are a reminder of the child or children who have been lost, and why this pregnancy is so very special.
Rainbow maternity ribbon ($15, Stylo Tutu Boutique/Etsy)
Rainbow Flowers
White flowers in food coloring–tinted water can add a sophisticated rainbow look to a windowsill or entryway as guests come in.
Colorful Flatware
Every plastic flatware can get in on the rainbow theme. Simple wrap bundles in paper napkins and arrange in a basket by rainbow order.
Rain Water
Hosting a rainbow baby shower outside? Give guests a smile as they hydrate by turning bottles of water into bottles of "rain water" by adding a cute label.
Rain water bottle labels ($4, Sprinkles Studio Shop/Etsy)
Rainbow Fruit Kabobs
Guests won't be able to resist reaching for these kabobs of fruit arranged in rainbow order. Try adding some whipped cream dip to create "clouds"!
Thumbprint Wall Art
When each guest stamps their thumb as a raindrop on this print, mom and dad are left with a beautiful tribute to all their children to hang in the nursery.
Showered with love thumbprint art ($17 and up, Creative Monsoons/Etsy)
Rainbow Loofa Table Decor
Looking for rainbow centerpieces that can pull double duty as favors? Arrange brightly colored loofas on straws or sticks on buckets or vases to create a rainbow effect. At the end of the shower, each guest can grab one to take home.
Rainbow Cheesecake Dip
What's better than rainbow cheesecake dip for a rainbow baby shower? Healthy-ish rainbow cheesecake dip! Better make an extra batch.
Rainbow of Hope Hair Ties
These hair ties are more than a useful shower favor; they're a display of mom-to-be's incredible strength, and a message from her to her guests to hang in there and stay strong during difficult times.
Rainbow of hope hair ties ($4, Wishlets Hair Ties/Etsy)
Rainbow Runner
Streamers arranged in rainbow order on a white table cloth make an easy DIY runner.
